History of stamp collecting 36, the Dutch cow craze.

In this column, Rob Smit describes remarkable facts about stamp collecting from more than 150 years of history. This time, about the Dutch cow craze. Up until now, the history of stamp collecting in this column has been described more or less chronologically, mostly based on the series of articles by Kouwenberg from the 80s. I will certainly continue with that, but there are also so many interesting historical facts of much more recent date to describe that I have decided to occasionally cover a random story from that more than 150-year history of stamp collecting. This time, a story from 'only' about forty years ago.   The Dutch cow craze In 1974, a 25-cent (letter rate) stamp was issued in the Netherlands featuring 'Dutch pedigree cattle,' with the backs of three cows on the left and their fronts on the right. Many collectors at post offices anxiously tucked the stamps away quickly after purchasing them, believing they had just received a misprint. That turned out not to be the case. In itself, none of this was particularly remarkable; Dutch stamps were often characterized by idiosyncratic designs. Things only changed when Davo released the supplementary sheets for the 1974 stamps. In addition to the single stamp in the series, there was suddenly a slot for two stamps joined together, so that the cows were at least visible as a whole. Many people collected Dutch stamps in Davo albums at the time and naturally did not want an empty slot. By then, the stamps were sold out at the post offices, so the cow craze began. Suddenly, everyone needed three of those stamps in their collection instead of one, and two of them together, at that. Many collectors bought multiple copies of new stamps at the time, but many had already been torn apart. Many collectors went looking for pairs and to fairs, where at that time many dealers and semi-dealers tried to make a profit on Dutch stamps. At those fairs, everyone drove each other crazy, causing the prices for pairs of cow stamps to skyrocket. Were they really that rare? Well, if we look at the number sold (over 4.5 million), it wasn't that bad, even if you divide that by three. Of course, a number were simply used on letters, but many were bought by collectors who kept the stamps in sheets or sheet sections, so pairs shouldn't really be very rare either. But then again, as mentioned; everyone drove each other crazy and tried to join in the speculation.   I'll just print the rest myself then! In 1982, acting on tips, the police in Haarlem paid a visit to a printing shop on Lange Herenvest in Haarlem. Passersby had noticed that work was being done there in the evening and that sheets of stamps were being held up to the light, and had reported this to the police. During the police inspection, three people present were caught red-handed printing counterfeit stamps. It turned out that sheets containing 48 stamps featuring Dutch pedigree cattle were being produced, of which 5000 sheets were seized. Only the final print run was missing. 3700 sheets had even already been gummed. Remarkably, among those caught red-handed was the same 45-year-old man from Haarlem who had recently been sentenced to one and a half years in prison for his involvement in the multi-million pound theft of stamps from the Joh. Enschedé printing shop. Apparently, the price and marketability of these stamps were so good in 1982 that 'in-house reprinting' was considered profitable. The three were, incidentally, acquitted in this case because it had not been proven that they had printed the stamps to use as postage. Bron1.    Bron2.   The price development Here is an overview of catalogue prices per stamp (in guilders, of course). A pair is therefore priced at double the amounts mentioned. 1976 first release: 1.00 1977: 2.25 1978: 7.50 1979: 11.50 1980: 16.50 1981: 21.25 1982: 25.00 1983: 27.50 1984: 31.25 1994: 27.50 1996: 25.00 PostBeeld now offers a pair for 3 euros (or approximately six guilders and seventy cents) and for 10 stamps at a time even for 20 euros.   The talk of the town at parties Every Dutch collector and many others knew the cow pair because it was frequently discussed, even at parties. At one point, this even prompted Playboy magazine to feature its own version of the cow pair (mounting each other). By now, the craze has long since subsided. Cow stamps and pairs are abundant and cost very little due to the fact that supply exceeds demand. As an aftermath, a brief craze for pairs of other continuous images and colors emerged. A special 'continuous catalog' even appeared. When, a few years later, another stamp appeared with an image divided over two stamps—the KMA stamp (NVPH 1165)—there was so much demand that it was decided to print a second edition. Read here a previously published article by Hero Wit about through-runners.  

Published so far:

1. Introduction and start 2. The first collectors 3. The first catalogueOscar Berger Levrault is the first to provide an overview. 4. Alfred Potiquet, The first commercially published catalogue. 5. Booming 1862, The most turbulent year in philatelic history. 6. Edard de Laplante, the first to live exclusively from the stamp trade. 7. Natalis RondotThe first true philatelic literature appeared in a family magazine. 8. Henri Justin Lallier, Publisher of the first stamp album. 9. Frederick W. Booty, The first catalogue in English. 10. Mount Brown, A successful English catalogue. 11. Dr John Edward Gray, Inventor of the postage stamp, the very first collector, or merely a good cataloguer? 12. The first stamp magazineFirst a failed attempt, but then a sheet of stamps after all. 13. Edward Pemberton, Active philatelist with descendants in philately. 14. Dr. C.W. Viner, Father of English philately. 15. Jean Baptiste Moens, The greatest trader of all time. 16. Moens' publishing house, of great importance in the early days of philately. 17. Germany in 1862, The slow start of an important philatelic country. 18. The Netherlands in 1862, The first Dutch catalogue and album. 19. The Netherlands in 1864, PH Witkamp 20. The origins of Schaubek 21. The competition breaks out, free stamps with magazines. 22. Crafting with stamps. 23. The Polka Stamp., postage stamps as a source of inspiration for music 24. Alexander Baillieu., stamps as a gold mine? 25. Cunning, deceit, and abundance., postal administrations discover collectors. 26. The Fat Elbe from Dresden, mistaken identity with a prominent figure. 27. Arthur Maury, a name that lives on to this day. 28. Pierre Mahé, idiosyncratic traders with extensive philatelic knowledge. 29. Swarming mania, Collecting stamps that aren't actually stamps. 30. William P. Brown, The first American stamp dealer 31. Philately instead of Timbology, The origin of the word Philately 32. Collectors' associations, Successful associations increase knowledge. 33. A theft in 1865, Followed by a severe punishment. 34. Mrs. Nicolas, A woman in the man's world of the stamp trade. 35. England in 1866,